20190863 Ver 1_Notice of Initial Credit Release

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Good afternoon,

The 15-Day As-Built/MY0 review for the NCDMS Oak Hill Dairy Mitigation Site (SAW-2019-00833) ended June 16, 2023. Per Section 332.8(o)(9) of the 2008 Mitigation Rule, this review followed
the streamlined review process. All comments received from the NCIRT are incorporated in the email below. There were no objections to issuing the initial 30% credit release of 1,385.675
warm stream mitigation units and 2.303 wetland mitigation units; however, we are requesting a written response to IRT comments prior to a site visit when it is scheduled. Please find
attached the current signed ledger.

Casey Haywood/Steve Kichefski, USACE:

1. It is understood that the BMP’s were designed to address stressors and potential impacts to the mitigation site from the adjacent land use. To confirm, are either of
the BMP’s located within the 50 ft buffer or was additional land acquired for both BMPs? Were the BMPs built to plan and were they part of the regrading in 2022? Please confirm the
depth of each.

2. There were several areas of wetland that were not planted with bareroots due to inundation. Were any of these areas part of the regrading that was completed in October
2022? What is the estimated size of each area? Do you believe they will remain inundated through the life of the project and/or are there any concerns that the area of inundation may
increase? Please continue monitoring these areas to determine if supplemental planting or remedial action will be needed since credits are tied to vegetative performance standards.
With no bare root plantings, will the area meet vigor and diversity standards, and is the strata appropriate for the identified wetland community?

3. Appendix F shows a map of potential wetland areas to be regraded to design grade from the August 8, 2022 IRT memo, but it is unclear if all these areas were regraded.
Provide a figure that shows which areas were regraded including the BMPs and whether any remaining areas do not match the approved design. If areas currently are not meeting design
grade or were graded deeper than the approved, please provide a figure that shows grading depths using pre-and-post construction survey data.

4. Appreciate the fencing realignment to the top of slope on UT1 and Oak Hill Creek. In addition, thank you for providing the groundwater gauge soil boring data.

5. Since gages were installed prior to growing season 2022, please include 2022 data in the MY1 for gages that were not relocated due to regrading. This is just supplemental
information to show wetland trends for the site considering the amount and various types of wetland credit.

Please reach out with any questions.

Regards,

Steve Kichefski

Regulatory Project Manager

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Wilmington District, Asheville Field Office

151 Patton Avenue, Suite 208

Asheville, NC 28801

(828)-271-7980 Ext. 4234

(828)-933-8032 cell

The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey
located at our website at https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/ to complete the survey online.

Please reach out with any questions.

Regards,

Steve Kichefski
Regulatory Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Wilmington District, Asheville Field Office
151 Patton Avenue, Suite 208
Asheville, NC 28801
(828)-271-7980 Ext. 4234
(828)-933-8032 cell

The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we
continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at our website at
https://regulatory.ops.usace.army.mil/customer-service-survey/ to complete the survey online.

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